Which are the major regions of the world having a dense network of airways.
In the Northern Hemisphere, there is a distinct east-west belt of inter-continental air routes. This belt contains the densest network of airways in the world.
The major regions having a dense network of airways are Eastern U.S.A., Western Europe and Southeast Asia. These regions have well-developed aviation infrastructure and high demand for air travel due to economic development and population concentration.
U.S.A. alone accounts for 60 per cent of the airways of the world, making it the most dominant region in terms of air transport network. This reflects the high level of economic activity and passenger movement in the country.
Several important cities serve as nodal points where air routes converge or radiate to all continents. These include New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, Moscow, Karachi, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.
In contrast, regions like Africa, Asiatic part of Russia and South America lack air services. The Southern Hemisphere between 10-35 latitudes has limited air services due to sparser population, limited landmass and low economic development.
Explanation
The textbook clearly identifies three major regions with dense airway networks: Eastern U.S.A., Western Europe, and Southeast Asia. The answer highlights USA's dominance (60% of world's airways) and lists the nodal points. It also contrasts these dense regions with areas lacking services, providing a complete picture as expected for a 5-mark answer.